How America Fell (3) (1281 hits)
Category: NoneLabels: the_new_russia
Rating: 1.75 on 34 reviews (Rate this item) (V)
Submitted by Axolotl (View user info) at 2007-08-31 12:08:22 EDT
Chapter Three: Life under the Universalite Regime in the Mid-21st Century
From 2040 for a short while onward, there was a period of worldwide global peace. While Alexei's wars of expansihon would start up on a major scale in the early 2050s, Alexei himself was getting older. While his people revered him as a demigod and the savior of Russia, and the whole world, he was too busy raising his child in the '40s to execute most of the radical plans he had formulated in his childhood for the conquest of the world.
In this chapter, putting aside war and violence for a short while, we focus on life as it was one hundred years ago in the period stretching from 2040 to 2064, the year of Alexei's death. This covers mainly the United States/Canada, Russia, and China; the culture of these three main bodies governed the nations in their sphere of influence. Western Europe was caught between Russian and American culture, as was Africa.
Universality spread throughout the globe in a mostly peaceful Diaspora. It was like a religion in a way, as all other religions were discarded in favor of it among its supporters. You could not be a Christian and be a Universalite. Fundamentalist Muslims and Christians in Alexei's governed territories denounced Universality at first, but their voices were drowned out by the freed masses praising the theories of atheism, liberalism, equality, and benevolent despotism. Even in the West, in America especially, radicals began to turn to Universality. Some were deported, others lynched, but its effect was known all over the world.
Other religions continued on as always. Pope Urban VII was slow to speak out on Universality, but eventually stated that it was godless and a disgrace to human dignity. Islam's radical segment was far less alive and strong than it had been forty years earlier, but it was still a force to be reckoned with.
In everyday life, people were by and large the same as today, the same interests, the same goals in life. In America, many young people had died in World War III, which produced a tough, patriotic, group-oriented generation. The generation immediately after, born in the years 2020 to 2035 would be immensely fearful of war. This "Quiet Generation" was the youth culture of the 2040s.
In music, some popular artists of the day were the bands Terrin, Space Grass, and Liquid Tendons, as well as singers Selene and Ricky Carroll. There was something of a nostalgia for old music among the young of the 2040s, although many followed the Melodic trend, which centered on guitar-heavy classically-based music. Also popular was inner-city rap music, which had made a comeback of sorts after a long hiatus.
Redwater came out in 2042, winning the 2043 Oscars for Best Picture, and Best Actor, for Gene Koenig's portrayal of a disaffected American youth at the dawn of the information age. Other excellent films that have similarly been lauded in history are The Falcon Cannot Hear the Falconer (2049) about the Iraq War, and Mansfield (2050) about a forbidden love between a man and a young boy.
Television as a medium was dying out, having been gradually displaced by the internet. However, HBO and ACBC were two networks that showed some of the most popular programs of the 2040s and 2050s: Tracer (2040-2050), Decieving Appearances (2045-2049) , Cold Hard Bitch (2047-2050), and Damnation (2050-2057). Television programs were for the most part intelligent and well-written on those two networks; the mass of slackers that lived off of reality shows and celebrity entertainment in the previous decades had moved on to the internet.
Also subject to the growing role of the internet were books. The middle-aged in America had not grown up with the same love of books their forebears did, and the youth in the 2040s were for the most part ignorant of what they could not find on the internet. Ancient classics like Harry Potter and the Lord of the Rings were read by certain intellectual subsets, but for the most part literature was in decline.
The internet was a vast force moving all life, or more appropriately, making them sedentary. It was far more gripping and interactive than ever before, with wrist-implanted chips that could enable virtual face-to-face chatting, virtual sex, and gaming so intense several died of heart attacks upon coming under fire. Reports were issued on the effects of the internet on young children, who were growing more and more lazy and satisfied with their lives.
The family was the same in most aspects. While the youth of society were disaffected and troubled, many parents were veterans of World War Three, and they came home tough and unmerciful. Family life was strict in many ways, but the nuclear family, with two parents and children, was still fairly dominant. Children were well-cared for, and bonded with both their mother and their father. The mother would feed them and care for their education, and recite to them nursery rhymes like Mother Goose, or the Beatles. The father would make sure they were raised with character and honor, and would many times help the child work with him at his profession at a certain age. College was never more of a necessity to get a job, however, leaving many of the poorer parts of society behind.
World leadership was still nominally under the UN, but four large states truly dominated the spheres of the world's influence. The USA dominated Canada and parts of eastern Russia; China dominated all of East Asia, New Russia dominated Eastern Europe, and the EU dominated Western Europe and parts of Africa. France had become something of a metaphorical battleground between Capitalism and Universality, with influence by both inside its borders.
Old Federalist Russia was gone. Militarily, the west was in defeat. CENTCOM had moved to Paris, but the recruits were at a record low. If any war was to break out, there would be a draft undoubtedly. This happened in the mid-2040s, when Panama and Columbia opposed the USA taking back the canal, and the USA was forced to go to war to seize it and neutralize Panama. Later, President Gerald Reed would stretch his empire further, in a peaceful invasion of Nigeria, seizing its oil fields.
In the 2050s there was support in both the USA and Canada for the USCN, a proposed combination of both states. The United States-Canada and the North would be a veritable superpower, but dissidents saw it as a way for the USA to gain even more influence. However, between 2062 and 2064 the laws were passed, and the borders dissolved. Canada and America were one state, created to fight Universality.
Across the borders in New Russia life was prosperous, if not slightly strained by the growing attacks on dissidents. The Spetsnaz was gone, but the Black Eagles were even more ruthless. With the influx of immigrants into Russia, several well-known figures became outspoken against these, and proposed additions to the Universality philosophy to allow these immigrants, many Muslim, less rights. Wanting to keep his philosophy pure, Alexei used his Black Eagles to seize these troublemakers and sent them to Irkutsk Goluboy, a semi-secret concentration camp in central Siberia. They returned into society a year later, praising Universality, and spreading the pure message of peace.
Few were killed by the Black Eagles, and only if necessary. Much more common was the psychological tortures of Irkutsk Goluboy, and the bizarre rituals and methods used by the Black Eagles in that camp. However, for the most part, New Russia was having astounding success. Their factories turned out the most modern household products, weapons, and digital technology. Influential scientists flocked to Russia, where they created amazing weapons like computerized gun turrets, who would use advanced artificial intelligence to recognize and kill enemies; these were set up along every few miles of border. Hovercraft became more prevalent, but they could not overtake the automobile for public transport. The cloning of tissues were able to cure many forms of cancer, a feat that corrupt Western scientists fumed at; their money was lost.
In 2047, Alexei the second turned eighteen years old, and a holiday was declared throughout New Russia. Alexei himself and many of the generals, including Ilyanich and Zukhov, gave speeches, and parades marched up through Red Square. Alexei II, raised from birth in the arts of war, was given a division, and went with his father to create an empire that would rival Genghis Khan's.
In 2047, New Russia began expanding on their quest for power, and they started in the Balkans, where wars had been fought for years. Within a few short decades, they would have the greatest empire the world has ever known.
User Reviews
Submitted by ChaosJester (user info) at 2007-09-11 03:35:41 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
'Ancient classics like Harry Potter...'
Ack...
Submitted by odin (user info) at 2007-09-07 05:31:46 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Submitted by MyNameIsTim (user info) at 2007-09-06 23:30:56 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by cuberat (user info) at 2007-09-04 17:34:02 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
This one was a little slow, but I'll withhold judgement until the next installment
Submitted by beat_raven (user info) at 2007-09-01 04:29:56 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by AsshOly (user info) at 2007-09-01 03:52:21 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Liked it. I will read Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds to my children.
So you figure you're going to die about 2060 as well? I think it'll be a good run. Plenty of stories for great-grandchildren by then. If not I'll just make shit up and nobody will question me because I'm an old geezer.
Submitted by ColchesterDr (user info) at 2007-09-01 03:07:54 EDT (#)
Ranking: -2
Submitted by beer-turtle (user info) at 2007-08-31 18:40:09 EDT (#)
Ranking: 1
I like the concept, so far though it seems more like a backstory for a novel, or the setting for a movie or something.
I know you are trying to create an accurate time line to provide a backdrop for what will eventually be your story.
Submitted by TheUniter (user info) at 2007-08-31 18:14:12 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Submitted by St_Jimmy (user info) at 2007-08-31 17:21:34 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Thank you for removing the legend.
Submitted by JonnyX (user info) at 2007-08-31 15:51:22 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by ShapeShifter (user info) at 2007-08-31 14:34:12 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by ShapeShifter (user info) at 2007-08-31 14:34:07 EDT (#)
Ranking: 1
I'm guessing you are going to respond to this comment too. The storyline is excellent but the maps make such a shitty viewing experience that this is justified.
Submitted by Axolotl (user info) at 2007-08-31 14:09:55 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Children were well-cared for, and bonded with both their mother and their father. The mother would feed them and care for their education, and recite to them nursery rhymes like Mother Goose, or the Beatles.
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Linguistics experts have said that within 100 years beatles rhymes will be as well known as nursery rhymes, and recited to chidlren.
Submitted by EatMeCompletely (user info) at 2007-08-31 14:06:49 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Keep it going. I'm interested to see where it goes...
Good stuff.
Submitted by Axolotl (user info) at 2007-08-31 14:00:28 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
the first two are pretty good...I tried to find a map, but the jpg with all the artifacts was the only one I had on my computer.
Submitted by kaos-king (user info) at 2007-08-31 13:58:52 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
I dunno... that map just needs to be better rendered. I think part of it is that you started out with a shitty map. You need something neutral and streamlined - and then add color to it with a key along the bottom. You can always add extra text along the white space in MSPaint below the inserted .jpg to explain things. Here are some better maps...
http://www.pstut.com/imagemanager/images/resizable_pixel_world_map/workpath.gif
http://www.aneki.com/maps/blank_world_map.gif
http://www.oasys-software.com/purchase/resellers/images/world-map.gif
http://www.capps.com/images/world_map_5.gif
Submitted by Axolotl (user info) at 2007-08-31 13:58:31 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
my beard is now gone ;(
Submitted by Axolotl (user info) at 2007-08-31 13:44:51 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by kaos-king (user info) at 2007-08-31 13:37:42 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Love it all, but the maps.
You need to TOTALLY redo the maps...
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Ms paint is my only choice of the moment...what are you thinking of in the way of maps?
Submitted by kaos-king (user info) at 2007-08-31 13:37:42 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Love it all, but the maps.
You need to TOTALLY redo the maps...
Submitted by zwerg (user info) at 2007-08-31 13:21:25 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by experima (user info) at 2007-08-31 13:09:27 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by monkeyswithguns (user info) at 2007-08-31 13:06:41 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by Axolotl (user info) at 2007-08-31 13:04:28 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by EatMeCompletely (user info) at 2007-08-31 12:58:36 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
You're going to keep this going, right? I've been waiting for this installment...
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I'll have ten of them, taking it to around 2145, maybe more if people like them.
Submitted by EatMeCompletely (user info) at 2007-08-31 12:58:36 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
You're going to keep this going, right? I've been waiting for this installment...
Submitted by DirtyHarry (user info) at 2007-08-31 12:50:59 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Got as far as "expansihon" -2
JK!!!!!11one hahahahaha
Submitted by AsshOly (user info) at 2007-08-31 12:49:07 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
maybe i will read these today
Submitted by Axolotl (user info) at 2007-08-31 12:43:37 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by Method (user info) at 2007-08-31 12:30:53 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
I've been printing these out and reading them while taking a shit, and then when I'm done I wipe my ass with them so that I don't feel like such a fucking nerd, thanks for that
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It's cool to be a nerd!
Submitted by Method (user info) at 2007-08-31 12:30:53 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
I've been printing these out and reading them while taking a shit, and then when I'm done I wipe my ass with them so that I don't feel like such a fucking nerd, thanks for that
Submitted by Zampano (user info) at 2007-08-31 12:21:50 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by SgtHartman (user info) at 2007-08-31 12:20:35 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
BOO YAH
Submitted by Axolotl (user info) at 2007-08-31 12:15:17 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
She took the midnight train going anyyyywhere...
dum dum dummmmmmm
Submitted by Jeanneee (user info) at 2007-08-31 12:14:26 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
LIVIN IN A LONELY WOOOORLD
Submitted by Axolotl (user info) at 2007-08-31 12:12:52 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
just a small town girl